AirAsia is (still) making big moves in the ASEAN region and digital bag tags are evolving to a level that might be useful soon. Plus some news on IFE/C going active and getting profitable. The 2019 Future Travel Experience Asia was a great show and these are just a few of the highlights.
Boom Supersonic
Boom’s supersonic timing slips
Boom still plans to bring supersonic passenger flights back to the general public, just not as soon as previously predicted. And there are still a LOT of open questions about getting there at all.
Engine selection “core” to Boom Supersonic’s success
Supersonic is sexy as hell for marketing but it is also hard to accomplish. Powering the aircraft is proving to be one of the bigger challenges for Boom Supersonic as no current engine model meets the company’s needs. Can an existing “core” solve those problems? Company CEO Blake Scholl seems to think so, though he also appears dependent on getting new engines faster than Boeing can for its NMA. So that’s an interesting set of circumstances.
An investment Boom from Japan Airlines
Supersonic hopeful Boom Aerospace got a big vote of confidence – and cash infusion – from Japan Airlines this week. The airline will pump $10mm in to the company, supporting the potential return to commercial supersonic flight by the middle of the next decade.